Our Story
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Edward Nickless, Executive Director
Edward “Ward” Nickless was born in Sydney, Australia and migrated to the United States in 1989. Ward has been the CFO for a local firm for the last 12 years and has a Masters Degree in Business Administration. He has been counseling companies, individuals and families in money management techniques for over 15 years.
In 2005, Ward began to see the writing on the wall with sky rocketing home prices and the “creative” loan packages the mortgage industry was selling. With the help and support of family and trusted Christian friends, Ward’s dream to start a ministry that helps families in financial crisis became a reality. Glass House Ministry became a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization in the summer of 2007.
Very active in his local Church, The Crossing, Ward helped establish a “Learning for Life” adult teaching ministry and served for three years as Treasurer on the Board of Directors. In addition to serving as Director of Operations for Glass House Ministry, Ward leads a Money Management Ministry and is active in the Benevolence Ministry at The Crossing Church.
Ward is married to Maria Nickless. They and their 2 children live in Costa Mesa, California.
Maria Nickless, Director of Development
Maria Nickless (also referred to as “Ward’s wife” and “Mommy”) is the coauthor of the NY Times bestseller, Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul and coauthor of Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler’s Soul. She is also the former Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, Inc.
Now a full-time Mom with elementary-aged kids, Maria balances her days supporting Glass House Ministry resourcing and development. Along with her husband, Maria also has a heart for helping people get “unstuck” and move toward a healthier place spiritually, emotionally and physically. She is also very active at their Church, where she leads a Peer Counseling Ministry and also participates in the Benevolence Ministry.
Together, they say their key to balance, happiness and peace of mind is to not forget who sits at the helm of their life, Our Lord and Savior, and to make sure they continue to laugh a lot…especially at themselves.